"Walking Into the New Year" Weekly Wisdom

 

There is something quietly sacred about the moment when one year fades and another begins. Not the presents, fireworks, party hats, or countdowns — but the space between. The pause. The soft exhale when you close one chapter, and the tentative breath before writing the next one.

When I look back over the past months, I see more than just a list of dates and events. I see growth. I see lessons learned — sometimes a little messy (like my kitchen after I cook) and also sometimes tender and unexpected. And I see hope. Because endings aren’t just endings. They’re thresholds.

Once again, I am always going to choose joy because I’ve decided it's worth the effort.  It’s not a reckless kind of joy. It’s not denying what has been hard. It’s not sweeping things under the rug and pretending none of it ever mattered. No — this is the kind of joy that rises from honesty and acceptance. 

Maybe you’re walking into the new year  a little bruised, worn, or tired. Maybe you’ve been carrying grief, disappointment, or unmet expectations. Maybe you’ve felt small, stuck, or invisible. I know that mindspace overload.But this — this turning of the page — doesn’t erase what happened in 2025. Instead, it gives you room to breathe. Room for growth. Room to be gentle on yourself. Room to choose what you want to carry forward.

And you don’t have to choose it all at once. Sometimes joy looks like one deep breath when you wake in the morning. Sometimes it’s the whisper of a new intention. Sometimes — it’s the small, quiet, consistent choices: a kinder thought, a braver step, and even saying no. The ending of this year and the start of the new year won’t ask you to be perfect. It won’t wait for you to figure it all out. It will meet you where you are. 

May the end of this year remind you of how far you’ve come, how deeply you’ve grown, and how much strength you gained without even noticing. And as the new year opens its door to you, may you walk forward steadier than before, braver than you know, and willing to let joy find its way in — on purpose.

#Freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

~AE

"Setting the Mood" Weekly Wisdom

 

 I haven't put up a Christmas tree up in my house for over 10 years. 

2015 changed my whole view on what holidays are really about and missing your heartbeats during one of their favorite times of the year, just didn't feel the same. The tree, the decorations, the music, the gifts really had no meaning to me. My Dad and sister loved Christmas and it just has never felt the same way since. For any of you who have lost loved ones, I see you and I understand your feelings.

This year, I was shopping with a friend and saw this sweet little 3 foot white tree and I started to feel a little different. I passed by it a couple times and decided it needed to come home with me. It stayed wrapped up by my back door for a couple weeks, I couldn't decide if this would be the year I would put it up. But then I put it together. I added lights. I added a couple ornaments. I set it up downstairs in the living room. The next day, I moved it to the kitchen. I just was not finding a placed that I loved it. 

Then I set it up in my bedroom. 

Maybe it is the ambience, maybe it the sense of comfort. Maybe it's the reminder of a those heartbeats who I miss deeply this time of year. Whatever has changed this year, it feels good and I am open to whatever this time of year is trying to tell me. I hope all of you are experiencing some special holiday feels this time of year and remembering the reason for the season. 

#EmbraceTheHellYeah | #Freedom

~AE

"More Than Enough" Weekly Wisdom

 

I love this one. It’s simple. But it has a kind of quiet power.

On days when life feels just okay, remembering that we already have more than we think can shift the whole vibe.

When I look around — the relationships I treasure, the health I'm working for, the morning coffee, the strength I’m building — I see that “enough” is already here.

And when I recognize enough, I’m freer to enjoy more — not because I need it, but because I’ve acknowledged what’s already good.

For this week, maybe try this: pause for a moment. Take a deep breath. Name one thing right now that you truly have. And then whisper: thank you. Let that ripple out.

When we anchor ourselves in gratitude, we don’t just add more to our lives — we amplify what’s already there. And that? That feels like magic.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

#freedom | #EmbraceTheHellYeah

~AE